Acorn/BBC Master 128 - CMOS Battery Pack and Computer Configuration

Warning: All the information in this section is provided on the basis of my own proven techniques. However I take no responsibility for any damage caused through faulty workmanship or by not taking sensible precautions to ensure that correct polarity of operation is maintained under all working conditions.

The batteries used for this pack assembly should be 'Duracell' class Alkaline AA batteries only. NOT RECHARGEABLE batteries. This is the reason for the resistor and diode sub-assembly present, i.e. to inhibit the battery recharging intended for the Lithium cells which were first fitted as a part of the Master 128 design.

Thus, it must be ensured that the diode is fully functional and installed with the correct polarity.

The general arrangement diagram, below, shows the layout and details the specifications of the semiconductors which should be used.

It could be useful to utilise the plug, lead and semiconductor assembly of the old battery pack.

If the battery pack has leaked electrolyte then take care when handling as the effusion is corrosive and presents a hazard for skin and eyes and should not be ingested.

Note: When preparing ends for soldering (points W,X,Y and Z) it is more effective to allow sufficient length for curling the ends into loops or spirals, somewhat larger in the case of points X and Z at the negative battery ends. This will ensure a stronger joint, more quickly made with less build up of heat in the battery.

Cut the 0V line close to the negative end of the lower left battery (point Z in diagram) and re-prepare the end for soldering later - strip, clean, loop and tin.

The diode (D1) is usually attached by a short length of wire, the wire having been soldered to the battery first (high heat) and then to the diode (less heat), this to prevent overheating and destruction of the diode. Thus it is best to separate the diode from the wire, rather than the wire from the battery. This should be a quick operation with a soldering iron, preventing heat damage to the diode.

In order to keep the two batteries, between points Z and Y, in line and ensure permanent contact between them it is useful to construct a tight fitting tube from about 160g/m2 card or fire-retardant material if preferred, by wrapping tightly around batteries and securing with tape. The tape I find useful here is that white masking tape commonly used when paint spraying.

For connecting points XY and point W to D1, short lengths of copper wire, single strand about 22 or 23 SWG (0.025 inch or 0.65mm), should be prepared with looped and tinned ends as mentioned previously.

Pre-tin all battery ends.

Solder wires at WXY and Z. Then solder wire attached at W to D1.

Arrange the flying leads and tape these and the WX battery to the tube containing the Z-Y batteries, conforming to the general arrangement in the diagram.

Before locating assembly into the space at left of the keyboard ensure that the two batteries (Z-Y) are making firm contact, a tight fitting tube will help to ensure this, and check output at PL8 using a multimeter.

An alternative method.

If all the above seems a bit 'hairy' then another solution would be to adapt a 4x AA battery holder of the type commonly available from Maplin, fitting the flying leads, plug and semi-conductors in a manner that maintains polarity as in the diagram above. This could be located in the space between the main PCB and the PSU.

This arrangement would certainly simplify replacing batteries at a later date, albeit at the increased risk of inserting batteries with polarity incorrect. Consider that another party may obtain the computer after you and may not be aware of the polarity issues. If this method is adopted it would be a good idea to clearly and permanently identify the + and - ends of the holder's individual cell locations.

Which has been done!

Chris Walker has emailed me with pictures and a brief description of his method using a 4xAA cell holder (Maplin order code CL19V) and a dummy battery to contain the resistor and diode assembly. The dummy AA battery is available from Maplin, having order code YX92A in the catalogue I have here (1999-2000), priced at about 64p ex VAT.

WARNING: Ensure that correct polarity is maintained at all times throughout the construction. The diagram at the start of this section may be used for reference.

WARNING: Ensure that the polarity of diode/resistor assembly conforms with the expected polarity of dummy cell.

Above: Dummy battery, complete with resistor and diode assembly, fitted into Maplin holder with other standard AA alkaline batteries. Chris suggested that it was probably a good idea to rotate the dummy battery such that the resistor and diode are hidden from view or touch.

If you find that the floppy drive hunts (other than when accessing track 0) then try alternative CO. FDRIVE 3 as some drives prefer this (very rarely now a 1 or 2 will work).

If you wish to UNPLUG or INSERT ROMS (all those listed above are in the one MegaRom) then enter *UNPLUG x or *INSERT x where x is the decimal equivalent of the hex number of the ROM displayed in the list after *ROMS.

The DFS at ROM 9 is in the MegaRom and was bugged. Many masters had an updated DFS inserted into one of the spare ROM sockets at ROM 8.

In this case issue a *UNPLUG 9 and *CO. File 8 followed by a CTRL/Break.

The Delay and Repeat (for key reading), Mode and Loud/Quite (beep) settings are a matter of taste.

If after the computer has been switched off (for at least 15 minutes maybe more) you find it as bad as before then replace the battery pack and repeat the above.